What’s different about IPL4?

We are now into the third week of IPL4, and even an ardent fan of the test match cricket won’t deny that this IPL has been most entertaining of all editions so far and perhaps T-20 is not that bad after all. The quality of cricket may not have improved, but the restructuring in the format along with the euphoria of a world cup win have given the tournament an added flavor. Considering what had happened last year off the field, it’s certainly a reflection of our insatiable appetite for bat hitting a ball. But that’s to be expected since our memories of public debacles have no connection with the need for instant gratification provided by this format.

This IPL though has a soft spot because of a special person – Sachin Tendulkar. After a World cup win there is still a jewel missing in the crown (if you want to believe it) and an IPL trophy win will definitely complete the cycle of dominance that Sachin has been associated with ever since his debut and specially since his rejuvenation 3 years ago!

I have asked this question many times though, why has IPL been so successful over the last 3 years? Any true romantic of the game can spot the difference between genuine and half hearted efforts of some of the international pros. All that motivates them to win is to justify their price tags along with an added incentive of a hug if you are from KXI team. But when we talk about IPL it’s hardly the quality that drives the fans to the stadium. In the country we live in, it provides an escape route from the hardships of lives, from the mundane 9 to 5 jobs, from the inundation of indistinguishable soap operas, from whatsoever that has been bothering an average Joe. An undeniable fact though is that it is here to stay; for good or for worse that still needs to be seen post the golden era of Indian cricket.

CONNECTED- PART 1

Those who had predicted Google would just a bubble and Social Networking just a petty time pass for the Y gen, must certainly be feeling the pinch when it was announced that the two have been the pioneers in the field of networking last year. Indeed, the phenomena have been unprecedented both in scope and impact. With both of them instigating a revolution in Arab world and nationwide unity towards eradicating an inbred evil back home.

Google, with the turn of the millennium, cemented its roots deep down in almost half the urbane psyches. Initially what began as a search engine and a learning tool developed into a medium to promote propaganda along with providing financial opportunities to netizens. What Google achieved was an inspiration to those in Silicon Valley who had given up hope after Microsoft had monopolized the cyber world in the 90s. Facebook and Twitter with their predecessors Orkut, MySpace, etc. must be thankful to Google which led to the existence of the world we live in today.

Having said that, the only thing Google wasn’t able to consolidate was its Social Networking site Orkut. With the advent of Facebook and its revolutionary founder Mark Zuckerberg, a new chapter was written in the modern world. The concept was old now, what mattered was the content and the ease with which one can connect with his/her friend in the best possible way. While Orkut steadily declined and became anachronistic, Facebook discernibly took over the internet and became a self proclaimed protagonist. Soon followed Twitter, and now presented a device which had been in existence for many years but never quite got the affect as Twitter did- Micro blogging. With celebrities too joining the bandwagon, opinions suddenly started to matter more than what they had been in pre-Globalization era.

Although I have always considered the two as modern bullies who have changed the way people interact with each other and simultaneously renaming an entire generation as Facebook generation. One fact that can’t be underestimated, is the unity that it has brought among nations trying to achieve a common objective. Egypt revolution would be considered as the epitome of modern civil warfare. It left the dictators in the entire Arab world bewildered and gave them absolutely no time to react and think intelligently on what needs to be done to control the situation. Congress felt the same way when it happened to them just after the world cup leaving many bemused to the effectiveness of today’s citizen galvanizing techniques.

Summarizing my first attempt at serious writing, I would say this synergy between public opinion and social networking if best used, could actually eradicate the parasites of our nation which are a huge hindrance to its development. What I think of Facebook and twitter effecting lives of the today’s youth can be dealt with some other day!